Samsung phones can now also be used as a car key

First announced for iOS, Digital Car Key support has also been confirmed by Google for Android 12 phones, the functionality of which adds the role of car key reaching the equipment of Samsung phones.

Theoretically, any phone with Android 12 and NFC support can be used to access and start the car, the functionality being added with a simple Google Play Services update. But from theory to practice there is a long way to go, with the car industry treating (for the time being) this facility as an endowment reserved for luxury cars.

In March 2021, Google announced the Android SE Alliance, an initiative that promotes the use of digital car keys and the retention of a digital version of your driving license on your mobile phone. One month later, we learned from the Google I / O conference that Google is joining Apple, supporting the implementation of the Digital Car Key feature in Android 12.

But beyond the very short announcement, Google did not provide a precise timetable for the widespread use of technology that is ultimately based on existing hardware, used successfully to emulate bank cards and authorize payments by phone. I just found out that Apple was already in advanced negotiations with BMW for the premiere implementation of Car Key technology for several newly launched car models.

After another year, we now know that Samsung phones also support CarKey functionality, leaving only carmakers to show interest in technology that could simultaneously increase their sales and lower their costs, eliminating the need for an ultra-key car. sophisticated.

With a name inspired by current CarPlay technology, Car Key promises to become a universal format for unlocking and starting cars, but it remains to be seen what the final implementation will look like, in terms of hardware support. Apparently, NFC technology is only seen as an intermediate solution, as long as the phone is close to direct contact with the NFC sensor built into the door handle, or on board the car, appearing rather as a disadvantage for users who already use keyless entry systems. higher detection.

Alternative technology called UWB (Ultra-wideband) does not have this limitation, but it is only supported on a few smartphone models, and it may take years before we can talk about widespread support among the new mobile phone models. But the biggest obstacle is also raised by car manufacturers, who are not very motivated to adopt it as a modern replacement for the car key.

For now, Samsung phone owners can forget about the car key only if they happen to have recently purchased a state-of-the-art car from the BMW 1 – 8 Series, X5, X6, X7, iX3, iX, and i4 range. The news is also good for those who are looking to buy a Kia Niro or a Genesis G90 sedan (South Korea only).